Easy Red Beans and Rice

Oodalalee! (name that movie)

I’d almost completely forgotten about red beans and rice. Erased from my mind, thrown into a large bag and burned up forever-forgotten. But I love red beans and rice, so I have no idea why I said it like that.

Also, red beans and rice is one of those meals where you have to say it like REDBEANSANDRICE. Or, redbeansandrice if you’re not me. All strung together. Just like cheeseonbread, searsoulet, or leepressonnails.

Redbeansandrice. And sausage. I don’t get why sausage is left out of the title. Red Beans and Rice and Sausage. Or Red Beans and Rice and Kielbasa Sausage. Or just Red Beans and Rice and Kielbasa. Or just Red Beans and Rice and Kielbasa and Some Other Veggies. Don’t you think it such a ring to it?

Oh.

Whatever. My version is so easy! They’re all pretty easy, but I have to say that to convince you that the decisions made on this blog are supreme to all others, and that you should believe, listen and obey.

DANCE, PUPPETS, DANCE.

I’mjustkiddingIloveyou.

But really, it’s so easy. Sear sear sear, simmer simmer simmer, done done done.

And so perfect for these crispy crisp fall evenings by the fire with sweaters, scarves and leepressonnails.

Oh you don’t still wear those?

Oh.

REDBEANSANDRICE.

Easy Red Beans and Rice:

What it took for 4:

* 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 (13.5 oz) package kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
* 1 yellow onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, diced
* 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
* 2 (16 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
* 1 cup chicken stock
* 2 -3 tsp hot sauce
* a small handful of chopped parsley
* 3 cups cooked white rice
* salt and pepper

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Add the kielbasa and sear on both sides until browned, about 7 minutes total.

Add the onion, garlic, celery, green bell and jalapeno pepper. Sauté for a bit, tossing the pan around until the veggies are slightly tender and aromatic. Add the beans, tomatoes, chicken stock and hot sauce. Toss everything together, season with a pinch of salt and pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes. Taste it. YAS.

Serve over white rice and garnish with parsley! Add more hot sauce if you like. You will like.

Oodalalee.